The Cowboy Guarantee

CHAPTER 29: Annie

I just shot him. I just shot a human. Not to say he didn't deserve it by all means but, I had never shot anyone before. Deep down I am glad I didn't kill him, but, still.

I'm not sure honestly in how I feel other than shaky and yet also a little rush of adrenaline.

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts and how I was feeling that I didn't hear too much about what was being said. Let alone that it was even Todd speaking, until I eventually looked and saw him talking.

The next thing I noticed, Barron's guys were cleaning things up and then I saw Todd start making his way towards me quickly.

"I can't believe I actually shot him." Was all I could muster out of my mouth to him.

"I know." He says.

"Now come on, we need to get out of here." He tells me and we head back to the car with Barron and then make our way back to my Nana's house.

During the car ride, I can't help but look down at my hands on my lap as they still continue shaking.

I next feel my hand being touched and placed in Todd's.

"I can't believe that all just happened." I tell him.

"I know. But remember, You didn't kill him. which is good I guess on your conscience. And because you shot him, he wasn't able to kill my Uncle. So you did it in self-defense and I want to thank you for that." I hear him tell me.

I did didn't I?! I did it to save Barron's life. To save everybody's really.

"I couldn't let him get hurt." I smiled at him then heard Barron thank me as well for saving his life.

When we finally returned back to my Nana's house, she quickly ran past Barron and straight up to me with her arms opened wide and then wrapped both her arms around me tightly.

"My baby girl." She says through tears.

That got me. That made me begin to cry. I felt relieved this all was over and in this moment in her arms, I felt safe and for the first time, that this all was over.

Even if it wasn't, I didn't care, because all that mattered to me right now in this moment was the fact that I was with her now. And just as always, knew things were going to be okay.

We headed inside and then soon after we headed in, the rest of the guys showed up and came inside where my grandmother was starting to prepare blankets and some air mattresses and grab some extra pillows as well from the closet so that everybody could shower and rest up and then talk in the morning.

Both Todd and I took a shower together and then laid in bed laying on our sides, facing one another with his hand gently caressing the side of my face.

"I love you Annie." He tells me.

"I love you too." I replied with a smile.

"I promise things are going to be better." He assures me.

"I know." I replied.

We gave each other a kiss then spooned together before falling asleep.

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The Next Morning

Last night plays in my head still like a film without sound. I even had a dream about what had happened.

Then this morning, after waking up and heading downstairs, it seemed like I was the last one to wake up and noticed also that everybody seemed to be laughing and talking with each other while eating breakfast and drinking some coffee.

Did everyone forget about last night? Why are they all smiling? Somebody got killed and others got badly hurt. We even almost died.

"Good morning beautiful." I am immediately taken out of my thoughts as soon as I hear Todd greet me with a kiss.

"Good morning." I replied.

Everybody moved their chairs around to make room for me to join them at the table and my Nana greeted me with a smile as she handed me a plate of breakfast.

Once we were finished eating, that's when we started to talk about what to do next.

"So how did you sleep sweetie?" My Nana asked.

"Fine. I mean, I had a dream about last night and what happened but, that's all." I tell her.

"We've been talking." Barron starts. "We've been going over some ideas in what to do next. Now, although I highly doubt that Danny guy will return, none of us can guarantee that." He says as he lets out a breath. "Let alone his men."

"I thought so." I nodded in agreement.

"Which that is why, your Nana and I, as well as Todd have been throwing out suggestions of where you two can go and it be safe..." he states but I stop him.

"What? I'm not leaving!" I start to protest.

"Sweetie, you can't live in fear the rest of your life. You have to live it with hope and not being looking over your shoulder all the time." My Nana begins to try and soothe me.

"And I will. But I am not leaving. I am staying right here with you!" I tell her with certainty.

"Annie...." My Nana begins but I stop her as well.

"No? I am so tired of running. And if Danny and his men ever want to try and return to get revenge or whatever, then so be it. I'll be right here waiting. But I will not leave you again." I tell her with finality.

We all share a moment of silence while I take a moment to try and continue without sounding crude or harsh or anything.

"I have made mistakes in my life so far that I wish I never made. But I did and I faced the consequences. I learned something last night. I have learned many new things about you Nana that I never knew before. And I met Todd." I say the last part while looking at him.

"Grandma this has always been my home and where I belonged. I moved away and thought I would like that, but what I like more is being here. This place is where I have always been meant to be." I finish.

I start to feel Todd take hold of my hand and we look at each other and smile.

Barron and Nana look at one another and then begin to nod and smile before looking back at me and I noticed she was beginning to cry a little.

"Welcome home, Annie!" She smiles even bigger.

Things were going to be different from here on out, no matter what.

Next chapter will be posted soon! :)